members in common

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "members in common" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe individuals or entities that share certain characteristics or affiliations with each other. Example: "The two organizations have several members in common, which facilitates collaboration on various projects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Any two groups have exactly 10 members in common.

The New York Times

The clubs have 21 members in common, and are both headquartered in Brussels.

The Economist

(The two unions have about 40,000 members in common. The federation does not cover movies, but the unions both cover sometimes overlapping areas of television work).

The New York Times

Because many actors work in both worlds, the two unions have about 45,000 members in common, each of whom will get two votes on the merger.

The New York Times

With 19 members in common (soon to be 21 when Bulgaria and Romania join the EU), the two bodies are like Siamese twins awkwardly joined together.

The Economist

Debt guaranteed by all euro zone members in common "would substantially throw off the balance between liability and control," the Bundesbank said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Today, the only "enemies" that all M.P.A.A. members have in common are piracy and copyright infringement.

The New Yorker

What the choir members have in common is performing in New York shows and a love of music they find transporting.

The New York Times

What many of these new members have in common is that they are recipients of Japanese aid money.

The Economist

He adds that organisations like 38 Degrees and Change.org "have shown us that there are millions of people who care enough about politics to take small actions around specific causes" but what "they (deliberately) don't have is a binding set of principles that their members hold in common.

TechCrunch

All members have in common a highly homologous DNA binding domain, the ETS domain.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "members in common", ensure clarity by specifying which groups or entities share these members to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "members in common" without specifying the groups or entities involved. This can lead to confusion about which groups share the members. Provide context to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "members in common" functions as a noun phrase, typically used to describe a situation where two or more groups or entities share some individuals as members. Ludwig examples show its application in various contexts, like organizations, committees, and even abstract sets.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

40%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "members in common" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase that describes a situation where two or more groups share membership. Ludwig's analysis indicates its frequent use in Science and News & Media contexts, with neutral formality. When using "members in common", it's important to specify which groups share the members to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "shared members" or "common members", depending on the context. Overall, "members in common" is a useful phrase for indicating connections and relationships between groups.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shared members

Focuses on the act of sharing membership rather than the commonality itself.

common members

Emphasizes that the members belong to multiple groups or categories.

overlapping members

Highlights the overlap in membership between different groups.

joint members

Suggests a formal or official connection in membership.

mutual members

Implies a reciprocal relationship in membership.

intersecting members

Emphasizes the intersection of membership sets.

affiliated members

Indicates a connection or association between the members.

linked members

Focuses on the connection or relationship between members.

interconnected members

Highlights the interconnectedness or relationship between members.

reciprocal membership

Highlights a mutually beneficial membership arrangement.

FAQs

How can I use "members in common" in a sentence?

You can use "members in common" to describe the shared membership between two or more groups. For example, "The two committees have several "members in common", which facilitates better communication".

What are some alternatives to "members in common"?

Alternatives include "shared members", "common members", or "overlapping members". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "common members" or "members in common"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "members in common" is generally considered more formal and grammatically standard. "Common members" is more direct and might be suitable for informal contexts.

What does it mean when two organizations have "members in common"?

It means that some individuals are members of both organizations, indicating a potential for collaboration, shared goals, or overlapping interests. The extent of shared membership can vary, influencing the degree of interaction.